Tractor lug



M. KRETCHMER.

TRACTOR LUG. APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, I921- I 1,420,71 2. Patented June 27, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I;

ATTORN EY WITNESS:

A BY

M. KRETCHMER.

TRACTOR LUG- APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, I92].

Ptented June 27, 1922.

' r 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORN EY MAT IAS'KRETG MER, or bee NORTH nairo'ifn.

TRACTOR LUG.

' may be secured upon an ordinary traction wheel when necessary wlthout mak ng any alterations therein except to provide holes for the passage of securing bolts or the like,

my device including supporting elements engaged upon the wheel and w th which are slidably associated transverse lug members qnormally spring-pressed so asto extend beyond the periphery of the wheel for pene trating engagement with the ground.

Another object is the provision of a device of this character which is so constructed that the slidable lug members may be heldrigid when desired.

-An additional object is the provision of an attachment of this character which will be simple and inexpensivein manufacture, easy in installation, efficient in use, positive in action, durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

WVith the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention-iconsists in the details of constructionto behereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompainying drawings in which 7 Figure 1 is aside elevation of the tractor wheel equipped with my device,

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through a portion of the wheel showing one, of the bracket members attached thereto,

Figure 4: is avfragmentary' longitudinal sectional view through one of the lug members showing the means for adjustably holding the inner end of a spring, I i

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of one of the bracket members secured transversely of the wheel, and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view illus v trating the means for locking one of the slidable elements against movement. I

Referring more particularly to the draw- Applicationfi'led ma 6, 192:1. Serial no. tends.

Shown.

ordinary transverse ribs G which are provlded for purposesof lnsur ng traction. flAs Specification ofLettersBatent. Patented June 2751922 tings, the letter designates a tractor wheel having-the usual rim B1 provided with the a matter of fact the spacesibetween these I ribs become clogged when .the tractor is driven'oversoft or'm'uddy ground and the I result isthat the wheelsslip, It isto remedy this defect that I have provided my traction 'lugde ic which i ludes a p u lity, pref.-

erably four angleironbarslO which are se,

cured upon the. periphery of the rim as. by means of bolts 11 or the like. l Vhile bolts are shown it is conceivable that some suit able clamping means might be employed with equal advantage. Tllhesebars extend appreciably beyondone side-of the wheel, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Associated.- withv opposite ones of the bars 10 are tractor lugs which are. formed as elongated bars- 12 of considerably greater length, than the diameter of the wheel and the 'bal'S 12 are slidable through guide brackets 13 secured upon the bars 10,: as Secured upon each side of each bar 12 near the center thereof, or formed integrally upon the bar, is. a right angularly *extending bracket 14; through which extends an eye bolt15'car'rying an adjusting nut 16.

Connected'witheaeh eye boltis one end of 'thelcoil spring 17 which has its other end connected with a hook or eye 18 onthe a d-w. I jacent bar 10, Itfwillthus be seen that each bar 12 is'provided with; two springs which operate to holdthe bar 12 in anintermediate position with respect to the wheel but with both ends tending to project beyond the pei riphery of the wheel.

The outer end portlons of the bars 10 and the outer end portions of the bars 12 are formed with registering holes 19 through which may be engaged a suitable pin or bolt whereby to hold the bars 12 rigid with respect to the wheel when desired.

ln the operation of the device it willbe seen that when a tractor equipped with my traction lugsis driven upon softground the ends of the bars 12 projecting beyond the wheel rim will penetratingly engage the ground owing to the vtensionof the springs 17 sothat traction will .be insured under even the most adverse circumstances. In

case of striking a stone or hard spot of any kind it is apparent that the lugs may move inwardly or upwardly against the resistance of the springs so as to avoid injury to the lugs. In case of very soft ground it may be found advisable to pass bolts or pins through the holes 19 for holding the lugs rigid with respect to the Wheel, in which event the springs 17 become inoperative.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed and consequently inexpensive trace tion device which may be easily installed upon the wheel of a tractor without necessitating alterations therein, the device being highly effective and efliciently performing all the functions for which it is intended.

lVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is of course to be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction, and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A tractor lug attachment for wheels comprising a plurality of bars secured upon the rim of the wheel and projecting beyond one side thereof, a plurality of bars extending transversely of the wheel and slidably associated with said first named bars and projecting beyond the periphery of the wheel, and springs connected with said first and last named bars for normally holding said last named bars in intermediate position. 7' l 2. A tractor lug attachment for wheels comprising a plurality of bars secured upon the rim of the wheel and projecting beyond one side thereof, a plurality of bars extending transversely of the Wheel and slidably associated with said first named bars and projecting beyond the periphery of the wheel, and springs connected with said first and last named bars for normally holding said last named bars in intermediate position, said firstand last named bars being formed: with registering holes adapted to receive bolts or pins for holding the last named bars rigid with respect to the last named.

3. A traction lug attachment for tractor wheels comprising a pluralityof angle bars secured upon the periphery of the wheel in transverse relation thereto and projecting beyond one faceof the wheel, guide brackets carried by said bars, elongated bars slidable through the brackets on opposite ones of said first named bars and having their ends projecting normally beyond the periphery of the wheel, removable means for holding said last named bars rigid with respect to said first named bars, laterally extending brackets on each of said last named bars adjacent the central portions thereof, and

springs adjustably'conne'cted with said last p the rim of a wheel and projecting: beyond 7 one side thereof, a plurality of bars extend- 'ing transversely of the wheel and slidably associated with said first'namedbars and projecting beyond 7 the periphery of the wheel, springs for normally holding said last named bars 'in intermediate position, and means for locking'said slidable bars against movement.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature. .MATHIAS KRETCHMER. 

